Schoolgirl left off Gold Coast bus

A schoolgirl left behind at a Gold Coast bus stop is the latest in a series of similar incidents being reported by Queensland parents, according to the state's transport minister.

More than a decade after the abduction and murder of Sunshine Coast schoolboy Daniel Morcombe from a roadside bus stop prompted the establishment of the No Child Left Behind policy, Jackie Trad has expressed outrage that Lucinda Bleakley, 12, was prevented from boarding a bus last Friday when her Go Card would not scan.

The Southport State High School student said the card had $10 credit but continually failed to scan.

She was forced to call her father to collect her when she was not permitted to board.

A 12-year-old was left off a Gold Coast bus when her Go Card would not scan.

Photo: Michelle Smith

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Ms Trad said she had requested an urgent brief on the incident.

"If these allegations are true or if this situation is correct, then I am deeply, deeply concerned, in fact I am outraged," she said.

"As a mother of two small boys who frequently use public transport services, I would be horrified if my child was left behind because of a faulty Go Card. That's why the State Government has got a No Child Left Behind policy."

According to Ms Trad, Lucinda's case is not an isolated incident.

She said a number of concerned parents had contacted her since she was sworn in as the state's transport minister earlier this year to report similar circumstances.

"I have had a number of complaints from parents already, in that time I have written to every single bus company that we provide money to in terms of service contracts and I have reminded them of the policy," she said

"I have attended the Queensland Bus Industry Confederation conference and have reiterated the government's very strong support for the No Child Left Behind policy, so I want to know what happened here and make sure that it doesn't happen again."

A spokesman for Surfside Buslines said the internal investigation would include interviewing the drive, reviewing CCTV footage and analysing GPS and ticketing data.

"Surfside has been made aware of a complaint regarding a driver allegedly refusing travel to a 12 year old girl on the basis of a defective go card," he said in a statement.

"Surfside takes these types of allegations very seriously, and has commenced a full investigation.

"Surfside is working urgently to complete all elements of the investigation, and will provide a further statement on the matter once that investigation is complete."

Ms Trad said she had written to all Queensland bus operators to remind them of their duties under the policy.

"The policy is quite explicit, there should be no situation where a child is left behind, be it a faulty Go Card or a forgotten card," she said.

Surfside Buslines, a private company funded by the State Government to provide public bus services on the Gold Coast, has launched an internal investigation.

Ms Trad said she would await the outcome of the internal investigation to determine how the government would proceed.

"We will make the decisions necessary but ultimately, it is up to the bus driver to make sure they are abiding by the service contracts the state government has, including adhering to the No Child Left Behind policy," she said.